Bargnani's Number Seven Jersey Is A Top Seller In Europe
By Peter D. WalkerToday, the NBA released the list of the Top 10 Most Popular NBA Jerseys in Europe and Andrea Bargnani's number seven Toronto Raptors uniform is #8 on the list.
He’s also on the cover of the Italian version of NBA Live 08, from Vancouver-based EA Sports. Nothing like a good old Canadian company looking after a Toronto Raptor!
The top selling European uniform list includes three other European players: Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and Pau Gasol.
The question is ‘where’s Dirk Nowitzki’? The NBA’s reigning MVP is not in the Top Ten in the eyes of his fellow European hoops fans. I checked and Dirk is not on the overall list either (a ranking which is North American driven). Here are both lists:
Top 10 Most Popular NBA Jerseys in Europe
1. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
2. Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
3. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
4. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
5. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Boris Diaw, Phoenix Suns
7. Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
8. Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors
9. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
10. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
Top 10 Overall Most Popular NBA Jerseys:
1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
5. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
6. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
7. Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets
8. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
9. Shaquille O’Neal, Miami Heat
10. Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks
These players made both the European and Overall lists: Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. The surprise is the overall popularity of Wade and the fact that LeBron is not closer to the first spot.
Besides Dirk – neither Tim Duncan nor Yao Ming appear on either top ten list. With the absence of these three all-stars, it is clear that there is more than just solid play and all-star stats behind selling a lot of jerseys. You need to have a mix of flash to your game and a dose of personality to go with it.
One final note. The leagues’ top selling jersey over the summer was none other than Kevin Garnett’s green Celtics #5, even though Kobe's #24 remains #1 overall.
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